Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) of Finland stops a shot by Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm (43) during the second period of Game 4 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Detroit, Thursday, April 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The Stanley Cup playoffs are one of those events that turn on a moment rather than the accumulation of effort and work.

At 2-2 in overtime of Game 4 of an opening-round series between the Red Wings and the heavily-favored Boston Bruins, that moment presented itself Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings were either going to legitimately remain in the series, or they were going to be put on the brink of elimination.

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It hung on a instant.

That moment went to the Bruins. Dougie Hamilton’s goal late in the first overtime period not only gave the Bruins a 3-2 victory, but essentially ended the series. Down three games to one, the Red Wings chances of winning this series are remote.

Boston is just the better team. We know that. It’s just Thursday game began so hopefully of the Red Wings...

It wasn’t just the Bruins defeated Detroit the previous two games, but the Red Wings beat themselves. One of the biggest problems was a slow beginning by the Red Wings.

They didn’t just look slow, but they made way too many mistakes for the playoffs.

The Red Wings completely turned the tables on the Bruins during the opening period Thursday.

Detroit held a 13-4 edge in shots on goal before defenseman Brendan Smith took a penalty late in the first period. It wasn’t the quantity of shots, either, but the quality of the scoring chances. The hockey term for energy and quickness is “jump.” The Red Wings displayed plenty of “jump” in the first period.

They capitalized on a power play, defenseman Niklas Kronwall rifling in a shot from the point. It was just Detroit’s third goal in 10 periods of hockey in this series to that point.

The downside it was only 1-0. The Bruins were hanging around, which is a dangerous formula.

“I thought we got a good push at the start, and maybe should have had more of a lead after the first period,” Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock said.

Jimmy Howard, scratched Thursday because of the flu, is like any other goalie who has ever come through this town. When the Red Wings win, it’s because they have a terrific team. When they lose, it’s because their goalie isn’t good. It’s the type of mind set that has many Red Wings’ fans suggesting Chris Osgood isn’t a Hall of Fame goalie despite a stellar career record and multiple Stanley Cup championship rings on his fingers.

Jonas Gustavasson, Howard’s backup, is a former Toronto Maple Leaf. That is the same as saying he was getting his Stanley Cup playoff experience Thursday.

He was hardly tested during first period, and was fortunate because the Bruins hit a post. In the second period, the Red Wings took a 2-0 lead, but it was not commanding. Boston had carried the play before Kronwall’s pretty feed setting up Pavel Datsyuk.

But Gustavsson played well overall. Certainly, he played better than Howard in Game 2 and Game 3. It would be surprising if “The Monster” isn’t in goal instead of Howard for Game 5 Saturday in Boston.

The Red Wings benefitted from having their captain, Henrik Zetterberg, return. Their defense also responded well to a forecheck that was turned up by the Bruins.

Finally, Boston broke through on a power play goal by former Michigan State standout Torey Krug. It was a different game after that. It seemed inevitable when Boston tied it at two early in the third period on a goal by Milan Lucic.

The Red Wings were here before. They were heavy underdogs in the opening round last season vs. Anaheim. They won Game 4 in overtime, and went onto win the series in seven games.

Not this time.

Boston is much better than Anaheim last year. They might be the best team in the NHL.